Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, Hang Chuon Naron, and Igor Driesmans, Ambassador of the European Union to Cambodia, presided over the opening ceremony of the dialogue between universities, research institutes, and the private sector of Cambodia and Europe today as part of the 4th Study Europe Fair in the European Union.
The dialogue focused on promoting educational exchange opportunities for Cambodian students. The event was also attended by Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation; Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training; as well as senior officials from relevant ministries, representatives from European universities, research institutions, private sector organisations, and international partners.
In his keynote address, Deputy Prime Minister Chuon Naron warmly welcomed all participants, especially the European delegates, and expressed his appreciation for their efforts to enhance cooperation in education and research with Cambodia. He extended sincere gratitude to the EU Delegation to Cambodia for organising this important event and for its ongoing support for education reform in the Kingdom.
He said that the European Union remains one of Cambodia’s strongest partners in promoting higher education, capacity building, and innovation. The dialogue marks another milestone in the expanding partnership between Cambodia and the EU—built on shared principles of peace, cooperation, and sustainable development through education and academic exchange.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that to realise Cambodia’s Vision 2030 and Vision 2050, the Royal Government has prioritised STEM education as a crucial foundation for cultivating future generations, especially in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI). He stated that strengthening both scientific literacy and critical thinking skills is vital for Cambodia’s progress in the 21st century.
He expressed deep gratitude to the European Union for its ongoing support to Cambodian students and researchers through programmes such as Erasmus+. Two newly approved Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) grants for Cambodian universities will further help strengthen institutional capacity, curriculum development, and international collaboration—aligning closely with Cambodia’s national education vision.
On behalf of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, Naron expressed gratitude to all EU ambassadors, representatives from member states, universities, research institutes, and private sector entities from both sides for their valuable participation. He reaffirmed his belief that ongoing dialogue and cooperation between Cambodia and the European Union will open new opportunities for joint research projects, student exchange programmes, and the internationalisation of higher education.
He added that through these collaborations, both sides can create shared value for peace, stability, and scientific innovation—while fostering more opportunities for student mobility and joint research that contribute to the development of human resources vital for Cambodia’s future.
This year’s dialogue brought together over 100 representatives from European universities, research institutes, and private sector organisations, alongside about 200 Cambodian delegates from higher education institutions and agencies. The strong turnout emphasises the shared commitment of Cambodia and the European Union to advancing academic excellence and linking education with innovation and industry.